live bait vs artifical bait and lures

[Cody Gruchow]

who prefers what, i say you can never go wrong with live bait. whats everyone elses opinion on this. which do you prefer

[Mayfly]

I use live bait most of the time. I have had some great experiences with Berkely Gulp over the past coupe years and plan to use it more this year. It also depends on what I am fishing for and where I am.

[Spinach]

Iv'e always been a live bait person, but I've been slowly changing over to artificial baits in the past couple of years. I do plan on using more artificials this season too.

The new Berlely Gulp Alive Leeches look outstanding and very realistic, i am definitely trying the Jumbos on opener.

[JackpineRob]

It really depends on what I'm up to.   I'm a walleye guy who loves to catch trout, and sometimes plays with big northerns just to keep my hands slimy.

Live bait is my bread and butter for most applications, but there are certain times and places where I can catch more and bigger fish quicker using artificials.  Certainly when exploring new areas for walleyes, especially when working shallower waters, a crankbait can cover more water more efficiently than anything else.  Its all about narrowing down the water, and many times the artificial allows me to do that quicker and more effectively.

Some of the scented plastics have proven their worth to me over the last 6-7 years, but there are still times and places where if that's all you've got, a guy better pull out the dynamite or a gill net if he wants supper....

Favorite search baits - Wally Divers and Rapalas.

Favorite soft plastics - Mr. Twister Exude.

All-time winners for multi-species - Rapala, Beetle Spin, and Mepps.

[Cody Gruchow]

well sense i dont have to do alot of searching for fish, i use live bait but my buddy did pull a 30 inch walleye out of the minnesota river on a wally diver, and also a 11lb northern on the same hook. like jackpinerob said theres a time and place. but my favorite lures have to be

pike-good ol fashion perch colored daredevil
walleye-wally diver (chartruese color) (how ever you spell it)

[Ryan]

Iv'e always been a live bait person, but I've been slowly changing over to artificial baits in the past couple of years. I do plan on using more artificials this season too.

The new Berlely Gulp Alive Leeches look outstanding and very realistic, i am definitely trying the Jumbos on opener.

I was watching the Sunday morning fishing shows and they were using these.  I thought the same thing and will probably give them a try this year.

[Ace]

I will use live bait in the spring when I'm targeting Walleyes. As the season goes on, I go primarily to deep water trolling to get all my Walleyes.

If I do use any livebait in the summer I go to crawlers.
Artificials do catch bigger fish on average, especially when it comes to Walleyes.

I never use livebait for any other species, it's just not necessary. Pike, Muskies and bass, will readily hit any number of artificial baits most of the summer period.

I will go back to fishing a livebait for Walleyes, late in the fall after turnover. It's hard to beat a jig and minnow combination after the fall turnover, especially up here on Lake Vermilion.

"Ace"

[proangler16]

Like "ACE" I mainly only use live bait for my walleye fishing and also for crappies durring the winter. This year however on opener depending on the water temps due to late ice out, I may have to try the Berkley Gulp Alive leeches due to the real one's will most liekly ball up on the hook due to the colder water temps up north.   

[Tompton]

They both have their time and place.  Artificial are best for covering water and finding fish.  Live bait is great for precise fishing or when fish are down or pressured.

[JackpineRob]

Second time this has happened.  Time to take note.

Slow fishing day - water is cold and the walleyes are uncooperative.

Minnow on a hook isn't cutting it.  Minnow on a plain jig isn't working either. 

Put on a 1/4 oz jighead with an Exude twister tail, tipped with a minnow.  6 walleyes in short order.

Jr. puts on a jighead and Exude, tips with a minnow, and he finally catches his first one.  The another, and another, etc.....

Sometimes the soft scented plastics make a huge difference.  Opening day was the latest example.